2010 MLB Trade Deadline

It was nice while it lasted, Angels fans.

With the stunning acquisition of Cliff Lee by the Texas Rangers from AL West rival Seattle, it is time for the Angels to cut their losses and let the fire sale begin.

Not only should this be the nail in the coffin for the Angels, but maybe for the rest of baseball as well. Texas just assured themselves not only a trip to the playoffs, but a real chance to take it all.

Angels fans, don't feel bad.

37-48.

11.5 games out of first place.

Those are the numbers Brewer fans were forced to endure this morning when opening their papers or looking online to see the current position of their favorite team.

After a 15-2 loss to the San Francisco Giants, it's clear that the Brewers won't be sniffing the playoffs in 2010.

With the All-Star Game just around the corner, the rumor mill has cooled down, at least for the time being, as we focus our attention to the Mid-Summer Classic.

Once the festivities are over, though, the wheeling and dealing will be in full swing, and with so many clear-cut buyers and sellers, you can expect a good number of deals.

While it is a foregone conclusion that Cliff Lee will be moved, many of the other top players on the trade block could very well see the deadline come and go without switching teams, for one reason or another.

Here are the 10 players that should be traded, but wi

Los Angeles Dodgers General Manager Ned Colletti has built a reputation for pulling off sensational moves at the trade deadline, and this season looks to be no different despite funds being tied up in a bitter divorce and ownership dispute with the McCourts.

The list of players acquired or dealt by Colletti before the deadline over the last five years has some big names on it:

2006:
Acquired pitcher Mark Hendrickson and catcher Toby Hall, dealt Sandy Alomar Jr., Odalis Perez for Elmer Dessens, got Greg Maddux and Julio Lugo while only giving up Caesar Izturis and prospects, also acquired Ma

Buster Olney tweeted on Saturday morning that Seattle continues to look for "big bat potential" in exchange for Cliff Lee.

He listed two potentially available prospects who fit the bill: Cincinnati's Yonder Alonso and Texas' Justin Smoak. 

The Mariners have made it known that they are seeking bats in return for the top-tier southpaw. They have been linked to several top catching prospects, including Minnesota's Wilson Ramos and the New York Yankees' Jesus Montero.

By Sunday evening, the Chicago Cubs will have a new outfielder, Chris Heisey, and the Cincinnati Reds will have a new relief pitcher, Carlos Marmol.

You heard it here first.  

Sources are saying that, "Walt Jocketty and Jim Hendry are in serious discussions over a trade involving Chris Heisey and Carlos Marmol."

The intra-divisional deal is sure to raise more than a few eyebrows.  Teams almost never within their own division—especially when it comes to young talent.

While the MLB trade deadline is more than four weeks away, the San Francisco Giants and Texas Rangers swapped catcher Bengie Molina for reliever Chris Ray and a player to be named later on Thursday.

Although this deal may appear insignificant on the surface, it’s important to understand how this trade affects not only the fantasy values of the players involved, but others as well.

It wasn’t B.J. Upton’s fault.

That’s because the young center fielder wasn’t in the starting lineup.

The Angels need bullpen help.

The Indians need payroll relief.

The Angels are about to give up on their top prospect Brandon Wood.

The Indians are about to give up on their season and closer Kerry Wood.

These are just a few of the reasons why a Wood-for-Wood trade might make sense for both teams.

Kerry's bloated 7.02 ERA and 1.56 WHIP are not exactly living up to his bloated $10.5 million salary. It's going to make it extremely hard for the Indians to get anything for him if they choose to try and get out from under that albatross of a contract.